game

Get In The Game: Re-evaluate How You Use Social Media For Business

Credit: Stefan Baudy

Many businesses are now entering the social media realm to meet current and future customers. But before your company creates a social media presence, you must first ask yourself, “What does my company want to achieve through social media?”.

The instinctual answer for most people is to increase customers, increase sales and increase profit. Therefore, some of them start setting up shop in their newly created Twitter account and begin tweeting about how great their own company is and repeatedly sending the same link to their online product catalogue.

Other companies might want to educate people about their industry and offer information to customers when they need help. The overall objective is still to increase customers, increase sales and increase profits, but this approach is anchored at providing the community with value – value that is appreciated.

However, sometimes by simply providing links to valuable industry news, tips, guides, and other information, your presence may become a bit dry, stale or dare I say, boring. So why not add a twist to engage your audience?

Your company’s social media presence does not have to be one dimensional. Think of different ways to engage or interact with your audience. You could ask a question, create a poll, start a contest or even, “play a game”.

Rarely do you hear of companies that simply play a game with their audience. This is most probably because it is hard to justify it against direct sales or profits. However, if your company’s goals are to engage your audience, create loyal customers and increase brand awareness, creating mini-games for your audience is a great way to achieve those objectives.

On Flickr for example, there is a group called, Guess Where Vancouver. Members of this group upload photos taken from Vancouver and other people try to guess where the photo was taken. The game is simple but effective for engaging members and creating conversations.

Can you think of a way to spin the game so it is relevant to your company?
Can you think of a way to adapt the game on different social media channels like Facebook, Twitter or even your company website?

Victor Chan
eMarketing Strategist

Tags: Business, engagement, flickr, game, Social Media